Luka Modric has consistently exuded a calm elegance, whether he’s on the field or away from it. His latest decision to invest in Swansea City – a bold step to bolster Welsh football – has reignited conversation around his enduring bond with Wales’ most iconic player, Gareth Bale.
The pair, who forged a formidable partnership at both Tottenham and Real Madrid, will forever be remembered as generational talents who overcame heavy doubt and relentless scrutiny to carve out enduring legacies. After being voted the worst La Liga transfer of 2012, Modric silenced critics to become the most decorated player in Real Madrid’s history.
Bale, on the other hand, faced repeated backlash for allegedly favouring Wales—and golf—over his club responsibilities, even though he consistently delivered for the team on the pitch. Yet through it all, Modric remained a loyal supporter, with his admiration for Bale never wavering.
Their journey started at Spurs, where Modric’s pinpoint passes fed Bale’s blistering runs down the left wing. “We played some great football,” the Croatian said in 2023.
Real Madrid signed Modric for £30million in 2012, and followed that up a year later with a record-breaking £86m purchase of Bale. The duo went on to dominate European football, securing ‘La Decima’ – the club’s elusive 10th Champions League crown – in 2014, and then capturing the trophy four more times together.
Bale scored the winner in two of those finals, notably netting a sensational bicycle kick against Liverpool in 2018. Still, his reserved demeanour, limited fluency in Spanish, and open love for Wales and golf hindered his ability to be embraced fully by the Madrid fanbase.
Modric, though, offered a contrasting view. “For me he’s always going to be remembered as a player who did a lot for this team, for this club,” he told COPE in 2020. “A lot of things have been said, but Gareth never had any issue with anyone in the dressing room, he’s a wonderful guy.
“He’s a little bit shy, his personality is very similar to mine. What has been said about him lately is not fair, maybe he’s judged for the last few years, but what he did in Madrid is extraordinary… What he achieved here, people need to respect that.”
Eventually, Bale stopped trying to win over sceptical supporters and leaned into the scrutiny. During a 2019 international fixture, he was famously pictured beside a Wales flag bearing the message: ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order’ – a stunt that irritated both fans and senior figures at the club.
Even as tensions flared, Modric stood apart from the critics, choosing instead to praise Bale’s steadfast dedication to his country. “He’s one of the best players in Real Madrid’s history. People shouldn’t forget what he’s done,” the midfielder affirmed a few months later.
To Welsh supporters, Modric’s constant encouragement has never gone unnoticed. Bale, who hung up his boots in 2023, is a beloved figure in Wales, having guided the national team to unprecedented achievements – most memorably the 2016 European Championship semi-finals.
With 111 international appearances and 41 goals, Bale’s legacy speaks to his skill and commitment. Modric’s kind words serve as a tribute to the esteem Bale, now 35, held among his fellow professionals.
Such was his regard for Bale that he once agreed to hit the golf course with him – though he wasn’t eager for a repeat. “I played with him once… never again,” Modric laughed in a 2023 conversation with The Times. “He’s a bad teacher!”
Modric continues to thrive at Real Madrid, despite nearing 40. But his recent minority ownership in Swansea suggests he’s beginning to look toward life after football. Whether the move was directly inspired by Bale remains uncertain, but it undeniably honours their friendship – and Modric’s growing affinity for Welsh culture.
His enduring, genuine respect for Bale reveals the character of both men. As Swansea embark on a new chapter with a Ballon d’Or winner now in the fold, Welsh fans can rest assured: their footballing icon has always had a loyal champion by his side.
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